Two "forever chemicals" have been associated with a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer, according to research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).Forever chemicals, known as PFAS, are a group of synthetic chemicals that break down extremely slowly and can build up in the environment and the human body.PFAS have been used in non-stick cookware, upholstery and clothing, as well as some food packaging and personal care items.CANCER RISK MAY BE HIGHER FOR PEOPLE WITH ONE PARTICULAR TYPE OF JOBThe study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that women with higher blood levels of two types of PFAS — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) — were more likely to develop estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer.ER-negative breast cancers tend to be "more aggressive" and have worse outcomes compared to breast cancers that respond to estrogen, according to a U.S.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) press release.Two "forever chemicals" have been associated with a higher risk of aggressive breast cancer, according to research from the National Institutes of Health.
(iStock)Data was drawn from a large U.S.research project called the Sister Study, which investigated environmental and genetic factors related to breast cancer.
All participants had a sister diagnosed with breast cancer at enrollment but did not have breast cancer themselves.Researchers measured 17 PFAS in blood samples collected before diagnosis from 1,609 women who later developed breast cancer and a comparison sample of 2,269 women, then examined links between PFAS levels and breast cancer risk by tumor type.EATING LESS OF COMMON INGREDIENT EARLY IN LIFE MAY SLASH CANCER RISK DECADES LATERThe highest PFOA exposure group had a 67% higher rate of ER-negative breast cancer.The rate was 93% higher in the highest PFOS group compared to those in the lowest group.
These figures represent relative differences between groups, not an i...